A fluorescent core-shell dendritic macromolecule specifically stains the extracellular matrix.

The extracellular cell matrix (ECM) surrounds cells and plays important roles in many aspects of cellular fate, including cell migration, stem cell differentiation, and cancer progression. So far, there is no fluorescent dye to directly visualize the ECM network. Here we present a positively charged fluorescent core-shell dendritic macromolecule containing multiple -NH2 groups which specifically binds to highly negatively charged ECM components. Due to its advantageous optical properties and biological specificity, the dye is useful as a routine tool to label the ECM in life science research.